[552] See reports of Agent Cowart in November, 1860, in Indian Office report of 1860, pp. 224, 225.
[553] January 1, 1860.
[554] Letter of Agent R. J. Cowart to Commissioner Indian Affairs, September 8, 1860.
[555] Letter of S. W. Butler, published in Philadelphia North American, January 24, 1863.
[556] Letter of General Albert Pike to Commissioner of Indian Affairs, February 17, 1866, published in pamphlet report of Commissioner of Indian Affairs to the President, bearing date June 15, 1866.
[557] Letter of S. W. Butler, in Philadelphia North American, January 24, 1863, and letter of General Albert Pike to Commissioner of Indian Affairs, February 17, 1866.
[558] Letter of Albert Pike, February 17, 1866. The delegates representing the "Southern Cherokees," in their statement to the United States commissioners at the Fort Smith conference, September 16, 1865, say: "Years before the war one portion of the Cherokees was arrayed in deadly hostility against the other; a secret organized society called the 'Pins,' led by John Ross and Rev. Jones, had sworn destruction to the half-bloods and white men of the nation outside this organization," etc.
[559] Early in June, 1861.
[560] Letter of General Albert Pike to Commissioner of Indian Affairs, February 17, 1866.
[561] Ibid.